Nuneaton 0-1 Birmingham U21

The U21 match between Birmingham City and Nuneaton was an away fixture for the Blues’ in the Birmingham Senior Cup. Last year the young lads went all the way and Richard Beale, the gaffer, was hoping for the same outcome this time around.

The team line-ups were compiled using information from the official bcfc.com website and the teams were:

Nuneaton: Zeus De La Paz, James Clifton, , Kristian Scott, Joe Maguire, Jack Lane, Tom Elliott, Shane Byrne, Marlon Harewood (Jamie Matthews 90), Elliott Whitehouse (Rob Duffy h/t), Joe Ironside (Tyrell Waite 14).
Unused Subs: Jordan Keane, Jordan Smith

Blues: Jake Weaver, Corey O`Keeffe, Dom Bernard, Noe Baba, Josh Martin, Steve Seddon, Kyle McFarlane, Charlie Cooper, David Popa (Alex Jones 63), Wes McDonald (Luke Maxwell 59), George O`Neill (Wes Harding 72)
Unused Subs: Emmanuel Mbende, Connal Trueman

Usually, this Birmingham City side start the game really well. They are normally really lively and quite often get an early goal. However, the tables turned this time around. Nuneaton were inches away from being 1-0 up in the first couple of minutes. Byrne, who is the captain for Nuneaton, thought he couldn’t miss but O’Neill flung his body at the ball to deny the home side the lead. This clearance off the line was a great piece of defending.

Some familiar names were presented on the Nuneaton team sheet and I’m sure everyone will be familiar with the former Villain; Marlon Harewood. He looked lively from the word go and his power and pace almost cost us a goal. He managed to outrun our defence before rifling a shot just over the crossbar. A whisker away.

The home side were not taking their foot off the gas and they came close again in the first half. Byrne was the man who had the chance yet again but this time he didn’t manage to hit the target after a lovely lay off from the Nuneaton striker. Weaver was called into action shortly after that but Whitehouse’s effort was comfortable for the Birmingham City number one.

The first half ended 0-0 with the Blues’ yet to muster many chances. McFarlane did look dangerous down the right hand side but no team mates were quick enough to support him.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first half and this time, Weaver was the man to keep Birmingham City in it. 10 minutes into the second half, Waite had a shot from quite a long way out which Weaver lay claim too. But his real match saving heroics came just minutes later. Elliot hit a thunderbolt from inside of 5 yards which Weaver somehow blocked. Amazing goalkeeping and still 0-0.

Nuneaton kept the ball for long periods of the game but Birmingham defended resolutely and not many more clear cut chances were made. That is until the 84th minute when the deadlock was broken.
The Nuneaton left back lost the ball inside his own half. O’Keeffe who is one of the younger members of the squad kept his composer and fired the ball past the goalkeeper, Zeus. A very simple, calm finish which secured the victory. 0-1 the final score and through to the final.